USAID Serbia and Montenegro
Local Economic growth (Serbia): Municipalities in USAID’s Municipal Economic Growth Activity attracted over 800m Euro in investments and created over 11,000 jobs in two years by becoming more business friendly; 270 new businesses opened; 26 Local Economic Development offices set up to actively attract investments. | Commercial Courts (Serbia) have become more efficient and transparent with Case Management Systems in all 16 courts and the High Commercial Court. Case backlogs cut drastically. | Compete Project (Serbia): Helping to bring Serbian companies back into world market – leading directly to $20.5m in 2008 exports. Helping to introduce International Industry standards that allow companies to compete in the global marketplace. Attracted major film productions and millions in investments. | Support to companies (Serbia) in vulnerable areas increased their competitiveness. 2008 sales at trade/shows fairs for assisted companies up 42%. | Economic systems (Serbia): Helped introduce: VAT; private pensions; investment funds; sound insurance industry, bankruptcy and enforcement and modern payment systems. | Opportunity Bank (Serbia) loans created 5,000+ new jobs and ensured 40,000+ existing jobs were kept. Only lender for vulnerable people who have little access to credit. | Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) (Serbia): Civil Society activities have brought together 14 major companies and an array of NGOs to establish culture of CSR. | Preparedness Planning (Serbia): USAID works with all levels of government to improve disaster risk reduction, trained 675 responders from 50 Municipalities on disaster management. | Civil Society Grants (Serbia): USAID assisted 160 Civil Society organizations with $5.2 million in 2.5yrs to better represent the needs of ordinary people & become more influential partners with businesses and government in the democratic process. | Media (Serbia): USAID media assistance has contributed to more independent, professional and financially viable media outlets and media associations. The regulatory environment now better supports the development of e-media; 2,000+ media professionals trained. | Court Reform (Serbia): U.S. assistance helped increase independence and the professional skills of judges, magistrates and prosecutors; provided legal assistance to victims of war crimes and human rights abuses. | Local governments (Serbia): Through work with a wide geographic spread of municipalities, local governments are now more responsive: 30+ Citizen Assistance Centers, E-government in 80+ Municipalities. | Youth (Serbia): Junior Achievement in 90 schools in 2009. USAID supports efforts of the Ministry of Youth/Sports to better prepare youth for post-graduation work opportunities. | Agribusiness (Serbia): Serbian companies assisted made $16.7m in registered sales in 2008. Recent trade shows expected to bring over $17m in contracts. |
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    Facts About Montenegro

    Political System

    In a referendum on May 21st, 2006, Montenegrins voted in favor of dissolving the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro. On June 3rd, 2006, the Montenegrin Parliament officially declared the Republic of Montenegro to be an independent country.

    Montenegro’s current constitution was adopted in October 2007. The current parliament, following the September 2006 elections, is considered a constitutive assembly by law. The parliament is made up of 81 members. There are eight parliamentary groups. The governing coalition, consisting of members of the Democratic Party of Socialists and the Social Democratic Party, is formed by 41 members. The National Assembly approves the prime minister and the administration. The deputies are directly elected for four-year terms. The president of Montenegro is elected in direct election and by secret ballot. The president serves a five-year term and may serve up to two terms. The president nominates the prime minister in consultation with the National Assembly.

    Montenegro Demographic Statistics

    Population:
    620,145 (2003 census)

    Life expectancy at birth:
    male: 71 years; female 76 years

    Ethnic Groups (2003 census):
    Montenegrins 43.16%; Serbs 31.99%; Bosniaks 7.77%; Muslims 3.97%; Albanians 5.03%; Croatian 1.1%; Roma 0.42% with the remainder split among others and those that did not disclose their nationality.
    Montenegro still hosts large numbers of refugees and internally displaced persons
    IDPs come mainly from Kosovo: a total of 18,019 (Source: GoM & UNHCR)
    Refugees are mainly from Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina: a total of 8,474 (Source: GoM & UNHCR)
    Montenegro Macroeconomic Indicators

    GDP - Related Indicators Unit 2007 data
    Gross domestic product (GDP) Euro bln 2,278.1
    GDP growth rate % 7.0
    GDP per capita Euro 3,674.2
    Private sector % of GDP n/a
    Public revenues % of GDP 34.5
    Consolidated budget surplus % of GDP + 7.4
    Foreign Trade balance% of GDP 67.4
    Current account balance% of GDP 22.4
    Public debt % of GDP 35.9
    Other Macroeconomic Indicators Unit 2007 data
    Unemployment rate % 11.9
    Annual Inflation % 4.2
    Annual Foreign Direct Investment Inflow Euro m 1,007.0 
    Imports (Goods & Services) Euro m 2,134.34
    Exports (Goods & Services) Euro m 599.02

    Local Currency:

    Euro

    Interesting Facts about Montenegro

    Did you know that...?
    82km long canyon of the river Tara is the second largest and deepest chasm in the world after the Grand Canyon in Colorado;
    Biogradska gora, national park, is one of only three remaining primeval and virgin forests in Europe. Four national parks cover 7% of the Montenegrin territory:
    Boka Kotorska bay is Europe`s most southern fjord, while Kotor town is UNESCO designated world heritage site;
    all of which makes Montenegro an important tourist destination.

    According to the latest World Travel and Tourism Council`s report Montenegro’s travel & tourism over the next ten years is expected to achieve annualized real growth of 8,6% in total travel and tourism demand.